Digitalisation and How Offshore Drilling Uses It
Across the global offshore sector, operators and service companies continue to adopt connected ecosystems such as Open Subsurface Data Universe and Wellsite Information Transfer Standard Markup Language to eliminate data silos between design, drilling, and completions. Each month, new initiatives demonstrate how real-time analytics and digital twins enhance operational efficiency and reduce non-productive time. At Drilling & Completions Norway 2026, technology providers and upstream operators will showcase the latest applications of Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture and edge computing for real-time rig data transmission, improving both the accuracy and speed of strategic support.
Companies are evaluating how integrated digital platforms can transform the entire well lifecycle, from planning and geo-steering to completions and production handovers. Key use cases already gaining traction include automated KPI dashboards for well performance, DAS/DTS monitoring for downhole insights, and SCADA/EDR integration for seamless visibility across teams. Industry pioneers are developing proof-of-concepts for drilling automation, leveraging standardised data formats, and applying machine-learning analytics for predictive maintenance and drilling hazard avoidance. These initiatives indicate a future where digital workflows and standardised data exchanges significantly enhance well economics and project repeatability.
Digitalisation Transforms Well Delivery
Digitalisation is not only transforming how wells are drilled but also redefining how projects are conceived and delivered. Connected drilling and completions workflows allow engineers to run multiple scenarios virtually before allocating rigs and crews offshore. Digital twins of wellbores and reservoirs enable improved forecasting, risk modelling, and regulatory compliance. Service companies are establishing advanced remote operations centres where drilling parameters can be monitored and optimised in real time, reducing the need for on-site personnel and enhancing safety.
However, the path to digital maturity is not without challenges. The industry faces obstacles such as data quality, interoperability across legacy systems, and the alignment of digital strategies with regulatory frameworks. Offshore wells often generate vast volumes of sensor data, and ensuring that this information is usable and actionable remains a major priority. Experts at Drilling & Completions Norway 2026 will discuss how to overcome semantic and functional integration challenges, establish reliable data governance, and attain accurate simulation models for well planning and execution.
Despite these challenges, digitalisation presents transformative opportunities. From improving well placement through advanced geo-steering to enhancing completions design with real-time production feedback, offshore operators are already realising tangible benefits. As digital technologies advance, more stakeholders are collaborating to establish open standards and secure, interoperable data exchanges that reinforce the entire value chain.
A New Era of Offshore Operations
While advanced analytics and automation attract considerable attention, many optimisation tasks in drilling and completions can still be accomplished effectively using proven digital workflows. These include real-time torque and drag modelling, automated offset well analysis, and predictive failure detection through sensor streams. Unsurprisingly that digitalisation for well delivery and operational optimisation remains one of the most discussed topics across the offshore energy sector. At Drilling & Completions Norway 2026, stakeholders will explore how connected systems, digital twins, and advanced monitoring tools are redefining offshore drilling performance.
